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Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe

Homemade Cocktail Sauce

Wholesome Cove
This homemade cocktail sauce is ready in just 5 minutes with no cooking required. It's completely customizable to your heat preferences, has a fresher flavor than store-bought versions, and works perfectly with shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, and more. You can adjust the spice level from mild to extra hot, making it perfect for everyone at your table.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 30 kcal

Equipment

  • Small mixing bowl - 2-cup (500ml) capacity
  • Whisk or fork - For combining ingredients
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cup
  • Citrus juicer - (optional)
  • Airtight container - For storage
  • Small spoon - For tasting

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup ketchup - 240ml, quality brand without high fructose corn syrup preferred
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish - 30ml, adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - 15ml, freshly squeezed preferred
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 5ml
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce - 1ml, Tabasco or your favorite
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder - 1g
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder - 1g
  • salt - pinch, to taste
  • black pepper - pinch, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon sriracha - 2ml, optional for extra heat

Instructions
 

  • Pour ketchup into mixing bowl. Add prepared horseradish and fresh lemon juice, catching any seeds.
  • Drizzle in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Be conservative as you can add more after tasting.
  • Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds using circular motion, scraping bottom and sides. Sauce should be completely smooth and uniform with no lumps.
  • Taste with a small spoon. Add more horseradish for heat, ketchup to mellow, lemon juice for tang, or hot sauce for extra kick. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  • Transfer to serving bowl or storage container. Cover and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh prepared horseradish and check expiration date - potency decreases over time
  • Start with less horseradish and hot sauce than you think you need - you can always add more
  • Different horseradish brands vary in strength, so always taste and adjust accordingly
  • Fresh lemon juice gives brighter flavor than bottled, but bottled works in a pinch
  • Sauce tastes better cold and improves after sitting - make at least 30 minutes ahead if possible
  • Taste the sauce with your seafood, not just on its own - it may taste strong alone but perfect with food
  • Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 7-10 days
  • Always use clean spoon when serving to prevent contamination - never double-dip
  • Double the batch since it keeps well and is versatile for many dishes beyond seafood
  • For milder version: reduce horseradish to 1 tablespoon and omit hot sauce entirely
  • For extra spicy: double horseradish to 4 tablespoons and increase hot sauce to 1 teaspoon
  • Freezing not recommended as texture changes when thawed - sauce is quick enough to make fresh

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 30kcalCarbohydrates: 7gSodium: 280mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cocktail sauce, easy condiment, horseradish sauce, seafood sauce, shrimp cocktail
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